Image forming apparatus, molded resin product for use with the image forming apparatus, and cartridge

Abstract

A molded resin product for use with an image forming apparatus includes: a base portion formed of a resin material; a positioning portion provided on the base portion; and a movable member formed by injection molding so as to be movable relative to the base portion. When the molded resin product is connected to a connection part, the positioning portion positions the molded resin product and the connection part relative to each other, and the movable member is contactable to a contact portion of the connection part.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of manufacturing a movable member for use in an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus having a supporting member configured to support the movable member, the supporting member being made of a first resin material and having a portion to-be-engaged, the manufacturing method comprising:
 a first step of injecting a second resin material into a space formed by the supporting member and a mold so that the movable member having an engaging portion contacting the portion-to-be-engaged of the supporting member is formed; and 
 a second step of cooling the movable member so that the engaging portion of the movable member contracts to form a gap between the engaging portion of the movable member and the portion-to-be-engaged of the supporting portion, thereby the movable member being movable relative to the supporting member in a state that the engaging portion of the movable member engages the portion-to-be-engaged of the supporting member. 
 
     
     
       2. A manufacturing method according to  claim 1 , wherein the portion-to-be-engaged has a bearing portion, the engaging portion is a shaft that is supported by the bearing portion, and the gap formed in the second step is between the bearing portion and the shaft, thereby making the movable member rotatable relative to the supporting member. 
     
     
       3. A manufacturing method according to  claim 1 , wherein the portion-to-be-engaged has a groove and the gap formed in the second step is between the groove and the engaging portion, thereby making the movable member slideable relative to the supporting member. 
     
     
       4. A manufacturing method according to  claim 3 , wherein the engaging portion is formed so as to have a cross section including a recess-shaped portion having a bottom that opposes an opening through which the portion-to-be-engaged enters, with the bottom being narrower than the opening. 
     
     
       5. A manufacturing method according to  claim 4 , wherein the recess-shaped portion has opposing surfaces formed non-parallel with a movement direction of the movable member. 
     
     
       6. A manufacturing method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second resin material has electroconductivity, the first resin material has no electroconductivity, and the first resin material and the second resin material have no affinity. 
     
     
       7. A manufacturing method according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable member includes an electrode portion. 
     
     
       8. A method of manufacturing a cartridge that is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the cartridge including a movable member, and a supporting member configured to support the movable member, the supporting member being made of a first resin material and having a portion-to-be-engaged, the manufacturing method comprising:
 a first step of injecting a second resin material into a space formed by the supporting member and a mold so that the movable member having an engaging portion engaging the portion-to-be-engaged of the supporting member is formed; and 
 a second step of cooling the movable member so that the engaging portion of the movable member contracts to form a gap between the engaging portion of the movable member and the portion-to-be-engaged of the supporting portion, thereby the movable member being movable relative to the supporting member in a state that the engaging portion of the movable member engages the portion-to-be-engaged of the supporting member. 
 
     
     
       9. A manufacturing method according to  claim 8 , wherein the portion-to-be-engaged has a bearing portion, the engaging portion is a shaft that is supported by the bearing portion, and the gap formed in the second step is between the bearing portion and the shaft, thereby making the movable member rotatable relative to the supporting member. 
     
     
       10. A manufacturing method according to  claim 7 , wherein the portion-to-be-engaged has a groove and the gap formed in the second step is between the groove and the portion-to-be-engaged, thereby making the movable member slideable relative to the supporting member. 
     
     
       11. A manufacturing method according to  claim 10 , wherein the engaging portion is formed so as to have a cross section including a recess-shaped portion having a bottom that opposes an opening through which the portion-to-be-engaged enters, with the bottom being narrower than the opening. 
     
     
       12. A manufacturing method according to  claim 11 , wherein the recess-shaped portion has opposing surfaces formed non-parallel with a movement direction of the movable member. 
     
     
       13. A manufacturing method according to  claim 8 , wherein second resin material has electroconductivity, the first resin material has no electroconductivity, and the first resin material and the second resin material have no affinity. 
     
     
       14. A manufacturing method according to  claim 8 , wherein the movable member includes an electrode portion.